He was born in 1929 in Kansas City, Missouri, to Russian-born, Orthodox Jewish parents, Lizzie and David Morris Asner. His acting career began during his service with the U.S. Army Signal Corps, when he “appeared in plays that toured Army camps in Europe,” according to his biography from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Launch the gallery to see some classic throwback photos of the legendary actor, including a cute photo of Asner as a baby!